CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - October 15, 2010) - As Chicago's premier dance company, the Joffrey Ballet kicks off its 2010/2011 season this week, the man in charge of keeping the dancers healthy and meeting any medical needs that may arise is Craig Westin, M.D., of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and the Chicago Center for Orthopedics (CCO) at Weiss Hospital. Named troupe physician and CCO orthopedic surgeon for the Joffrey Ballet this year, Dr. Westin brings more than 26 years of experience working with professional performers and athletes to the dancers' care. Whether pre-season physician examinations, regular clinics with the dancers at the Joffrey studios, or an emergency consultation at Weiss Hospital, these healthcare services are an essential part of a successful dance season.

As an orthopedic resident at Harvard, Dr. Westin began treating dancers when he helped cover the Boston Ballet. He continued with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, where he also served as medical director of the Snowbird Ski Clinic. After 17 years at Snowbird and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Dr. Westin moved to Chicago. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Westin has been a physician to the U.S. and Olympic Figure Skating team and traveled with them to Europe, China and Russia. He is also the personal orthopedic surgeon for Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen. Specializing in sports medicine with a particular focus on the knee and shoulder, Dr. Westin uses minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques for outpatient knee and shoulder repairs. As well as being a certified Carticel surgeon for cartilage repair and restoration, he has special expertise in reconstruction of ACL tears and kneecap problems.

Dr. Westin uses many non-operative treatments to help his patients recover. Treatments like physical therapy, injections, braces, orthotics and other rehabilitation techniques can provide dramatic improvement for many conditions. "What we learn from treating these gifted and highly motivated performers can often be applied to the rest of us. We all have the same body parts, they can just use theirs a lot better," says Westin.

"I'm honored to be named the sports medicine physician for the Joffrey Ballet. I have a deep appreciation for these athletes' need for top care and am pleased that I can play a role in keeping them healthy and performing. It's very satisfying to see them on stage able to use their bodies for inspiring expression," added Dr. Westin.

The Sports Medicine Experts at WeissCCO orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians -- with affiliations at Chicago's academic and research facilities, including the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois and Loyola University Chicago -- treat Joffrey Ballet dancers and other athletes to ensure their long-term health and viability on and off the stage or athletic fields. CCO brings a balance of preventive care, individual athlete/patient understanding and leading-edge techniques.

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